This is the sixth in a daily series of in-depth evaluations on the top 40 prospects leading up the April 26-28 NFL Draft. Today: Zach Brown, outside linebacker, North Carolina.

Strengths: Brown has tremendous speed and closing burst to be an impact player in the NFL, despite the fact he lacks ideal height. (Vital statistics: 6-1, 244 pounds, 4.46 in 40-yard dash) On film, Brown reminded us of the Chicago Bears’ Lance Briggs with his ability to make big plays chasing down running backs and in pass coverage.

The combination of his excellent instincts and foot quickness enables him to quickly read and react to plays. On inside runs, he fills the hole fast and aggressively. As a result, he can either blow up the blocker in the hole or avoid a block to make a tackle in the backfield.

Once Brown starts toward the ball, he has the agility and balance to change directions quickly to avoid blockers when he has space to move. He uses good technique taking on lead blockers on outside runs with his inside shoulder. Also, he's able to carry out containment responsibility.

His ability to burst off the snap as a pass rusher is because of his anticipation. His speed and ability to dip his shoulder enables him to beat offensive tackles around the corner. Once he clears pass blockers, he has an outstanding closing burst to the quarterback to deliver blows.

Brown has excelled at picking up running backs in man coverage on "wheel" routes. When positioned off the line of scrimmage, he reads quarterbacks well. This enables him to close quickly on receivers and attempt to break up passes with hard hits.

In 2010, Brown was a good special teams coverage man for the Tar Heels. So, given this experience, he should be able to contribute quickly in the NFL.

Weaknesses: Brown’s production doesn't match his athleticism because he plays smaller against blockers than his measured weight of 244 pounds. Brown struggles to get free once an offensive lineman gets a hold of him. In addition, he is less effective defeating blockers on the second level and is often engulfed by blocks from the side. His aggressiveness leads to him getting out of control and over-running tackles he should easily make.

Brown tends to stay upright rather than bending his knees when tackling in the open field, which leads to missed tackles. His ability to make plays in pursuit is limited when he has to move through tight quarters as he gets bounced around moving through traffic. He has limited experience covering tight ends. He must improve his footwork dropping into and moving within his area of zone responsibility.

Draft status: Brown had a breakout season in 2011 when he displayed the talent to be a versatile three-down linebacker. At the Senior Bowl, he impressed with his quickness and explosiveness. At the Scouting Combine, he rose up draft boards by running a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash. While his height is not ideal, it does not automatically eliminate him from any defensive system. We're confident that Brown can be productive playing any linebacker position in a 4-3 scheme.

Because of Brown's edge pass-rush ability, he would excel as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme despite his height. Both the St. Louis Rams and Atlanta Falcons could be interested in Brown because of his speed and athleticism. These skills would make him a good fit as an outside linebacker in both teams’ defenses.

Brown will likely be drafted in the first 20 picks of the second round.